Opinion: HSC students be ambitious, but also kind to yourself

Saturday, 10 October 2026

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The High School Certificate (HSC) starts next week, and we know this can be an overwhelming and stressful time as thousands of students across our region prepare, study and sit their exams.

Students studying

To every student preparing for this important milestone, approach your HSC with confidence and know that you are supported by your family and friends. The HSC is important, but it is also just one part of a much larger life journey.

Taking regular breaks, sleep, exercise, and good nutrition are essential parts of exam preparation. They are not distractions from study. They help your memory, concentration, and wellbeing. And asking for support is a strength, not a weakness.

Exams are important and teach students more than how to get a great ATAR. A big part of the HSC is about the journey it takes to get there, the process, and the commitment from students to achieve their goals.

For those students who want to study at our university, the HSC is one of the avenues to entry, but not the only avenue to university study.

With more than 39,000 students studying at our university it is equally important to remember that there is no single pathway to university or to a rewarding career. In fact, only around half of our first-year students come to university directly from high school, and one in six of the students who graduate come through our pathway programs.

Our pathway programs such as Open Foundation recognise that talent is everywhere, while opportunity is not always equal. Our Open Foundation program is Australia’s largest and oldest university preparation course and is a free and flexible pathway to our university degrees.

For young people that are looking at opportunities after high school, Open Foundation may be a great option and could open the door to studying courses such as engineering, education, science, business or even medicine.

Last year, our first five students graduated from our equity to medicine pathway that was designed to broaden access to medical education. Among them was Sebastian Larkin, who never felt that medicine was a realistic future for him. But, after completing Open Foundation, gaining entry to the medicine pathway - and a lot of hard work - Sebastion completed his medical degree. He is now working at Lismore Hospital and is on his path to a career in rural health.

Another of our students Layla Wicks, who is studying a Bachelor of Law and Arts, provides an inspiring example of achieving a top ATAR of 97.6 as a regional public-school student. Layla’s path to university reminded students that your postcode, school or access to expensive resources does not place a limit on your potential. Her story shows that with determination, hard work, consistent effort, and believing in what is possible you can achieve your goals.

We’re very proud that our University is a place for everyone to thrive and succeed, and we’re here to support everyone on their study journey, no matter what path they take.

Many students across our region may have already received an Early Entry offer to university. If you are one of them, congratulations. You should be very proud of what you have achieved. This year we received more than 7,300 applications for Early Entry. An early offer can provide reassurance and certainty, but it should not be a reason to take your foot off the pedal.

It is an important time for our young people, but parents and families also have significant role to play. To our parents across the Hunter, remember that students perform their best when they are confident and not overly stressed. Encouragement matters. So does reminding students that they are valued for who they are, not for the result or the ATAR they receive.

To our Year 12 students, be ambitious, but also be kind to yourself. Prepare carefully, rest properly and ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, give the HSC your best effort while remembering that it does not define you or the full range of possibilities ahead of you. It’s only a small part of your life journey.

Please know there is a place for you at the University of Newcastle, no matter your educational achievements. We have pathways for you to every degree for a successful career.

I wish all our HSC students across our regions all the very best of luck with their exams.

Published in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday 10 October 2026.

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